Tag: falcons football news

Former Georgia Bulldog LB returning to the Atlanta Falcons

Former Georgia Bulldogs linebacker Lorenzo Carter is back in Atlanta on a two-year deal

Former Georgia Bulldogs outside linebacker Lorenzo Carter is reportedly returning to the Atlanta Falcons on a two-year deal. Carter is one of the Falcons’ top pass rushers.

Carter signed a one-year, $3.5 million deal with the Atlanta Falcons last offseason. Carter has 18.5 career sacks in his five-season NFL career.

Carter is expected to continue have a large role with the Falcons in 2023. The 6-foot-5, 255-pound outside linebacker is expected to start for Atlanta. Carter has all the physical traits to succeed.

The Falcons need to have a stronger pass rush. Atlanta had the fewest sacks in the NFL over the past two seasons (39 total sacks). The Falcons finished with only 21 sacks last year, which was No. 31 in the NFL.

Carter was the Falcons’ second-leading sack man in 2022. Carter finished the season with four sacks, which was only behind defensive end Grady Jarrett. Carter also recorded 58 total tackles and returned an interception for a touchdown in his first season with the Falcons.

Brett Davis-USA TODAY Sports

Atlanta addressed the edge rusher position in the 2022 NFL draft. The Falcons selected Penn State defensive end Arnold Ebiketie in the second round and Western Kentucky edge rusher DeAngelo Malone in the third round.

However, the Falcons need more pass rushers: 21 sacks in a season is not going to cut it in the NFL. Atlanta needs to continue to bolster its pass rush after signing Lorenzo Carter. You can never have too many pass rushers in the NFL.

An improved defense would go a long way toward helping the Falcons compete for a division crown in the wide-open NFC South.

The NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport reported the news that Carter was returning to the Falcons on a two-year contract. The Falcons shared Lorenzo Carter’s official contract signing. Carter is wearing a nice looking jacket:

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Former Georgia Bulldog will play critical role in Falcons’ defense

Former Georgia Bulldogs linebacker Lorenzo Carter is expected to be the top edge rusher for the Atlanta Falcons next season

Former Georgia Bulldogs linebacker Lorenzo Carter signed a one-year, $3.5 million deal with the Atlanta Falcons this offseason. Carter, a former New York Giant, has 14.5 career sacks in his four season NFL career.

Carter is expected to have a large role with the Falcons in 2022. The 6-foot-5, 255-pound outside linebacker is expected to start for Atlanta. Carter has all the physical traits to succeed. Atlanta’s 2021 sack leader, Dante Fowler (4.5 sacks), left the team in free agency. Now, the Falcons are looking for pass rushers to step up.

Atlanta addressed the edge rusher position in the 2022 NFL draft. The Falcons selected Penn State defensive end Arnold Ebiketie in the second round and Western Kentucky edge rusher DeAngelo Malone in the third round. Still, Atlanta needs more production from veterans.

Atlanta Falcons linebacker Lorenzo Carter is the most experienced and talented edge rusher on the team. Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports

If the Falcons want to improve defensively, they must have a stronger pass rush. Atlanta had 18 sacks last season, by far the fewest of any team in the NFL. The Philadelphia Eagles (29 sacks) were the only other team to record fewer than 30 sacks.

Atlanta outside linebacker Adetokunbo Ogundeji will also compete for playing time, but Ogundeji is young and recorded one sack during his rookie season in 2021. That’s why it will be critical for Carter to disrupt opposing quarterbacks this season.

The Falcons are in the middle of a rebuild on both sides of the football. Atlanta will be much more fun to watch in 2022 if it can get more production from its pass rush and Carter.

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Report: Falcons turned down signing former Georgia Bulldog LB

The Atlanta Falcons reportedly turned down signing a former Georgia Bulldogs linebacker and instead signed former Alabama linebacker Rashaan Evans

The Atlanta Falcons reportedly turned down signing former Georgia Bulldogs linebacker Alec Ogletree. Instead, Atlanta opted to sign former first round pick and Alabama linebacker Rashaan Evans.

Ogletree, who remains a free agent, played the 2021 NFL season for the Chicago Bears. He recorded 87 tackles and forced a fumble last season for the Bears.

Alec Ogletree played high school football for Newnan High School and may have to wait or accept a smaller role in order to have a Georgia homecoming. The move is disappointing for Georgia Bulldog fans, but at least the Falcons added former Georgia Bulldog Lorenzo Carter this offseason.

Atlanta will have numerous chances to draft Bulldogs in the 2022 NFL draft.

The Falcons are trying to replace leading tackler Foyesade Oluokun, who signed with the Jacksonville Jaguars.

Rashaan Evans began his NFL career with Atlanta coaches Arthur Smith and Dean Pees. He will provide a veteran presence for the Falcons.

Orlando Ledbetter of the AJC reported the news:

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Atlanta Falcons put former Georgia Bulldog on IR

The Atlanta Falcons have put former Georgia Bulldogs punter Cameron Nizialek on injured reserve

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The Atlanta Falcons have placed former Georgia Bulldogs punter Cameron Nizialek on injured reserve. Nizialek made the Atlanta Falcons’ roster this season, but has had up and down performances.

The 26-year-old punter has punted 18 times for an average of 45.4 yards this season. Nizialek additionally handles kickoffs for Atlanta. He has a 40% touchback rate on kickoffs this season.

Cameron Nizialek suffered a right hamstring injury in week four against the Washington Football Team. Nizialek’s injury forced Younghoe Koo to attempt kickoffs. The Football Team burned the Falcons for a kickoff return touchdown in the contest.

In a corresponding move, Falcons punter Dustin Colquitt was promoted to the Atlanta’s 53-man roster. It is unclear who will handle kickoff duties.

Nizialek, who came to UGA as a graduate transfer from Columbia University, was Georgia’s punter during the 2017-18 season when the Bulldogs won the Rose Bowl and came one play away from capturing a National Championship.

Nizialek was the punter for the Atlanta Legends in 2019. The Legends were briefly a member of the now extinct Alliance of American Football.

Georgia Bulldogs punter Cameron Nizialek (92) against the Alabama Crimson Tide in the 2018 CFP national championship college football game at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports

In his one year with Georgia, he averaged 45.0 yards per punt on 61 total punts. 26 of his punts landed inside the 20-yard line.  His career-best punt of 61 yards came in the Rose Bowl against Oklahoma. Nizialek has a long of 62 yards this season.

We wish Nizialek a speedy recovery. He can return in three weeks.

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Atlanta Falcons waive former Georgia Bulldogs DL

The Atlanta Falcons have waived former Georgia Bulldogs defensive lineman John Atkins.

The Atlanta Falcons have waived former Georgia Bulldogs defensive lineman John Atkins.

Atlanta waived several players following their preseason opener against the Tennessee Titans. The Falcons have to cut one more player to reach the NFL’s roster requirement by Tuesday.

Atkins played in 36 career games for the Georgia Bulldogs. He compiled 81 total tackles over his career in Athens, but he never recorded a sack. Atkins is more of a run-stopper than a pass rusher. Now, he will search for another NFL opportunity.

Jan 8, 2018; Atlanta, GA, USA; Georgia Bulldogs defensive tackle John Atkins is looking for a new NFL home. Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports

Atkins has 22 career tackles during his NFL career. He previosuly played with the Detroit Lions in 2018-2019. The 6-foot-3, 320-pound defensive tackle went undrafted in 2018.

Atkins signed with the New England Patriots following the draft, but was cut before the regular season. Atkins signed with the Lions, with whom he had an opportunity to play in a few games as a rookie.

Atkins opted out of the 2020 NFL season due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The Detroit Lions cut Atkins on June 2.

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Falcons sign former Georgia Bulldog DL

The Atlanta Falcons have signed former Georgia Bulldogs defensive lineman John Atkins.

The Atlanta Falcons have signed former Georgia Bulldogs defensive lineman John Atkins. Atlanta made several roster additions to complete its 90-man roster on Thursday.

Atkins played in 36 career games for the Georgia Bulldogs. He compiled 81 total tackles over his career in Athens, but he never recorded a sack. Atkins will be more of a run-stuffer than a pass rusher for the Falcons.

Atkins has 22 career tackles during his NFL career. He looks to make the Falcons roster after playing with the Detroit Lions in 2018-2019. The 6-foot-3, 320-pound defensive tackle went undrafted in 2018.

Atkins signed with the New England Patriots following the draft, but was cut before the regular season. Atkins signed with the Lions, with whom he had an opportunity to play in a few games as a rookie.

Atkins opted out of the 2020 NFL season due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The Detroit Lions cut Atkins on June 2 and he has already found a new home with the Atlanta Falcons.

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Detroit Lions defensive tackle John Atkins (99) tackles Chicago Bears running back David Montgomery during the first half Thursday, Nov. 28, 2019 at Ford Field. Detroit Free Press © Kirthmon F. Dozier

Deion Sanders didn’t want Todd Gurley wearing No. 21 for Falcons, later says it was just a joke

Former Georgia football RB Todd Gurley says Deion Sanders did not want him wearing No. 21 for the Atlanta Falcons.

After being drafted by Atlanta, Deion “Prime Time” Sanders played cornerback for the Falcons from 1989-1993 wearing the No. 21 jersey.

Prime Time recently commented on the Falcons new jerseys and according to Sanders, no one should be wearing No. 21 in Atlanta, even recently signed Todd Gurley.

“Only thing I don’t like about the Falcons uniforms is I really do think they need to take No. 21 and put it up in the rafters and leave it alone,” Sanders said. “Leave it alone!”

While Sanders comments didn’t keep Gurley from choosing to wear No. 21, the former Georgia running back did hear a few words from Deion on the matter.

 “Prime was hatin’ on me. He told me don’t wear it,” Gurley told 92.3 The Game in Atlanta. “If I was Prime, I wouldn’t want nobody be wearing my number either.”

Deion spent time with the San Francisco 49ers, Dallas Cowboys, Washington Redskins and Baltimore Ravens so does he really deserve that No. 21 in Atlanta retired in his name?

Don’t get me wrong, Sanders is one of the greatest Falcons of all-time and the NFL Hall of Famer deserves his accolades, but he may be reaching a bit.

After the news got out, Prime took to Twitter to say it was just a joke and that Gurley will “represent it (the number) right.”

I think if Sanders had his way every team in the NFL would have the No. 21 in the rafters.

Falcon’s GM comfortable with former Georgia star Todd Gurley’s knee injuries

Atlanta Falcons GM Thomas Dimitroff talks about newly signed former Georgia football running back Todd Gurley’s knee injuries.

Atlanta Falcons beat reporter Kelsey Conway recently spoke to the franchise’s general manager Thomas Dimitroff about newly signed running back Todd Gurley.

The former Georgia Bulldog recently signed a one-year contract worth $6m with the Falcons after being released earlier this year by the L.A. Rams.

Gurley was a two-time All-Pro in L.A. but after issues with arthritis in his previously injured left-knee, the team decided to move on from the 24-year old.

Unlike the Rams, the Falcons do not seem to be worried about Gurley’s injury history.

Dimitroff said:

He really takes care of his body well. We feel very comfortable with it. He’s a hard-charging runner and we’re counting on him being an excellent player for us.

Gurley being on just a one-year deal creates an easy out for Atlanta if he can’t meet expectations in 2020, but Falcons and UGA fans hope the Bulldog great can bounce back with a great season for Atlanta.

Todd Gurley to Rams on Instagram: “thanks for the check today”

After his contract with Atlanta was announced, the former Bulldog standout provided parting words to the organization that drafted him.

Since a somewhat surprising release from the Los Angeles Rams, Todd Gurley has committed to a one-year deal with the Atlanta Falcons.

Following a move that delights a large number of local Dawgs and Dirty Birds, the Georgia Bulldog alumnus will wear red and black in Georgia for at least one more season.

Gurley took the news in stride on Thursday, playfully tweeting about having been fired on his day off. He agreed to terms with Atlanta the following morning.

After his contract with Atlanta was announced, the former Bulldog standout provided parting words to the organization that drafted him.

Cameron DaSilva of Rams Wire first reported Gurley’s expert session in subtle pettiness.

Georgia faithful took to Twitter following his release with asserting that Gurley would be a great fit for the Falcons, who recently released tailback Devonta Freeman.

The next day, football fans who exist in the middle of the Falcons-Bulldogs Venn diagram got their wishes fulfilled.

Solomon Kindley has advice for former Georgia football teammates

Georgia football offensive guard Solomon Kindley has advice for his former UGA teammates while at the NFL Combine.

Georgia offensive guard Solomon Kindley is in Indianapolis this week for the NFL Combine.

Viewed anywhere from a first to third round draft pick, Kindley is meeting with teams, undergoing body measurements and eventually will partake in on-field drills.

Related: Solomon Kindley a classic NFL guard

Kindley said he has already met with the Packers and Patriots and has plans to meet with the Falcons and the Chiefs.

Since 2017, he started 10 games at right guard and 26 at left guard. He left Georgia with one year of eligibility remaining, and during an interview at the combine he mentioned that he misses Athens and his teammates back in Georgia.

“I’m not going to lie, I miss my teammates,” Kindley said. “I miss my little brothers. I miss them UGA Dawgs.”

When asked what he missed most about Kirby Smart, Kindley noted that it was Kirby’s drive and constant motivation that he has missed the most.

He also went on to give advice to the younger Bulldogs in Athens.

“Take it all in. Just soak it all up because it feels like I had just got there and now I’m here already. Don’t waste no time. The time is short at Georgia. Everything you do, you gotta pay attention to.”

“Do everything the right way.”

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